From fallen angel to Netflix anti-hero, the Devil has had quite the makeover. In this episode of God Forbid, Sami Shah leads a devilishly good panel exploring the many faces of Satan — from ancient Hebrew texts to modern Satanism.

Is the Devil a cosmic villain, a cultural scapegoat, or a misunderstood metaphor? We unpack how different religions and movements have shaped — and reshaped — the Prince of Darkness over time. Why did monotheism need a Devil when polytheism didn’t? What made the Middle Ages so obsessed with demonic possession? And why is the Devil suddenly charming?

GUESTS:

Robyn Whitaker, New Testament scholar and Uniting Church minister
Philip C. Almond, religious historian and author of The Devil: A New Biography
Lilith Starr, Minister of Satan at the Temple of Satan and author of Compassionate Satanism

This episode of God Forbid was made on Gadigal land and in Naarm.

Technical production by Roi Huberman and Tegan Nicholls.

The Devil you know: Satan’s journey from scripture to satire